THE MUNSTER TEAM that will start against Racing 92 at Thomond Park in tomorrow’s Heineken Champions Cup fixture [KO 5.30PM, BT Sport 3] shows three changes from last weekend’s win over Ospreys.
The visitors, who ran out 30-10 winners against champions Saracens in their opening fixture, have also made adjustments, one of which sees former Munster man Simon Zebo restored to the starting line-up.
After Tyler Bleyendaal reported stiffness this week, JJ Hanrahan has been drafted in to start at out-half for Munster.
Tommy O’Donnell also misses out, with Jack O’Donoghue coming into the back row. Billy Holland drops down to the bench to make way in the second row for Tadhg Beirne.
Zebo replaces Brice Dulin at fullback in a Racing side that also includes ex-Munster lock Donnacha Ryan.
Munster:
15. Mike Haley
14. Andrew Conway
13. Chris Farrell
12. Rory Scannell
11. Keith Earls
10. JJ Hanrahan
9. Conor Murray
1. Jeremy Loughman
2. Niall Scannell
3. John Ryan
4. Jean Kleyn
5. Tadhg Beirne
6. Peter O’Mahony
7. Jack O’Donoghue
8. CJ Stander
Replacements:
16. Kevin O’Byrne
17. James Cronin
18. Stephen Archer
19. Billy Holland
20. Fineen Wycherley
21. Alby Mathewson
22. Dan Goggin
23. Arno Botha
Racing 92:
15. Simon Zebo
14. Teddy Thomas
13. Virimi Vakatawa
12. Henry Chavancy (captain)
11. Juan Imhoff
10. Finn Russell
9. Maxime Machenaud
1. Eddy Ben Arous
2. Camille Chat
3. Cedate Gomes Sa
4. Donnacha Ryan
5. Dominic Bird
6. Wenceslas Lauret
7. Boris Palu
8. Antoine Claassen
Replacements:
16. Teddy Baubigny
17. Hassane Kolingar
18. Ali Oz
19. Fabien Sanconnie
20. Yoan Tanga Mangene
21. Teddy Iribaren
22. Ben Volavola
23. Brice Dulin
Murray Kinsella and Bernard Jackman join Gavan Casey in studio to preview the second weekend of Champions Cup action
Can’t help but wonder what if Ferris was still playing that would be a frightening back row.
True. Ferris would be an upgrade on Stander
Two bulldozers! Only one more sleep lads
Can’t wait to see them 3 get stuck in and cause complete mayhem
CJ and SOB are gona tear the frogs a new arsehole
When u think o mahony and Henderson has to come back into this squad,and Wat they both bring to De table,and with the quality ireland have right across all back positions now,and De quality coming through,irish rugby is definitely, at international level,in a great place..
Shame that knob jockey pape won’t be playing. We won’t get to see Seanie give him a cuddle!
Thought ruddock was on bench not TOD?
There was some confusion yesterday but it is the TOD.
It shows the quality we have in the back row when Ruddock can’t get in the 23.
Or when POM isn’t missed. (Tactically, personally we still miss him)
Disagree with that, I am biased against Munster and despite that I think he is arguably Ireland’s best forward – he is always immense when he plays for Ireland – I don’t think Stander, Henry or O’Donnell can match him
I’m a huge POM fan and really think he adds something extra. But if we lose we won’t be saying “of only Peter had been playing”. His replacement doesn’t fall THAT far short.
Just consider for a moment Henderson playing at 6 along with Stander at 8 and O’Brien at 7.
That would be the dream combination
Just need to find pace on the Inge and power in the second row and then we have a team to be feared
I’d have Henderson at second row. Completely fills the position but the advantage of another back row in the loose.
You’d sort of be missing Heaslip at 8 there, lad
Can’t wait for an ireland win..